On the morning of April 20, as soon as the train stopped at Hue station, 15 small and medium-sized enterprise owners - including Nguyen Thanh Hoa, Bui Xuan Trang, Nguyen Van Anh, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, Mai To Nga Doan, Van Trung, Nguyen Lan Huong, Pham Van Thanh, Hoang Sy Thinh, Le Thi Nhan, Truong Hong Nhung, Hoang Van Khuyen, Hoang Dao and Nguyen Quang Hai - hurried to Nghenh Luong Dinh to receive the Bib of the VnExpress Marathon Hue 2024.

The members spoke eagerly, looking forward to soon running on the green tree-lined track, with poetic scenery, interspersed with mausoleums, temples, and historical sites. In the scorching heat of late April, 15 runners aged 35 to 60 were still full of energy, inviting each other to take photos and check-in with Bib.

"The athletes' shirts are so beautiful, the purple color is typical of Hue, we couldn't wait until tomorrow, we decided to wear them to take souvenir photos," said a businessman in the group.

According to Ms. Thanh Huyen, this is not the first time they have participated in a race within the framework of the VnExpress Marathon system. Previously, the members had participated in the Hai Phong and Hanoi races.

Instead of choosing the same distance, they divided the events into many categories, corresponding to each person's ability and endurance. Specifically, Mr. Hoang Dao, Thanh Hoa, tried 42km, hoping to finish before 4 hours and 23 minutes. Four businessmen ran 21km, four members chose 5km and the remaining five raced 10km.

The team representative revealed that each individual sets a certain limit for themselves - not giving up halfway and trying to finish before the gate closes. After each race, they try to gradually increase the distance, this time running 5km, the next time they will race 10km, then continue to train to double the content.

As the eldest sister of the group, businesswoman Ngoc Lan, 60 years old, said she was excited to test her endurance with the 10km stage. She planned to run slowly to adapt at the beginning, then gradually increase her speed. "I will not give up halfway, I must win a medal," said the businesswoman.

Of the 15 members, four were participating in a race for the first time, including Hoang Khuyen (21km), Si Thinh, Le Nhan, and To Nga (all 10km). Le Nhan said she came to the marathon thanks to the influence of her group of friends, who spread positive energy. They hope to have many more beautiful memories in this race.

According to Ms. Thanh Huyen, their group originally had 30 people, but this time only half of them could arrange their time. They became close friends a decade ago, initially forming the group to exchange, learn business experiences, practice concentration, and increase profits for their businesses. Later, they gradually found another common point - their hobby of running.

Every week, each member will pursue their own exercise, suitable for the registered distance. Every Saturday or Sunday, they often run together, around West Lake, the park, supporting each other with water.

"Despite our busy work schedules, we always try to make time to meet, exercise and encourage each other," said Hoang Dao. For them, health is the most important thing and jogging brings many benefits such as improving the musculoskeletal system, bones and brain, good for the heart and respiratory system, enhancing excretory function, and preventing the risk of disease.

In addition, marathons can help members practice life skills and patience, and are also an effective method of mental relaxation therapy, giving them more energy to come up with new business ideas.

VnExpress Marathon Hue 2024 attracts 8,000 athletes, is one of the events that kicks off the summer festival with the theme "Shining Imperial City". This year, the organizers have adjusted the route, with the starting point of the four distances being Le Duan Street (near Nha Do Gate), and the finishing point being Quang Duc Gate. The race will pass through many famous relics, bearing the mark of the ancient capital.

Last year, during the three days of the race, the tourism industry of Thua Thien Hue province welcomed about 32,500 visitors, with tourism revenue reaching 55.5 billion VND. In 2022, VnExpress Marathon was honored by the province in the top 10 typical cultural and sports events with great impact in the community.

Thi Quan